Fullerton City Zoning Code

   (A)   The purpose of this title is to establish categories of uses and to regulate the location of such uses in such a manner so as to group within a classification as nearly as possible, those which are mutually compatible; to protect each such group of uses from the intrusion into such classifications of incompatible uses; to preserve neighborhood character; to make it possible for the city to strategically locate public land uses; to make it possible for the city to efficiently and economically design, install and operate, in terms of location, size and capacity, public service facilities such as streets, drains and sewers, in order to adequately and permanently meet the ultimate requirements as determined by a defined intensity and type of land use; to require an orderly arrangement of essential related facilities with particular reference to the traffic pattern and well designed off-street parking areas and, through the medium of the zoning map which is a part of this title, to establish the geographical location and boundaries of the areas or zones to which the different classifications will apply.

   (B)   A further purpose of this title is to establish required minimum lot areas, yards and open spaces, and building forms as a means of providing a suitable environment for living, business and industry, to ensure compatibility with the existing development context, and for the purpose of maintaining reasonable population densities and reasonable intensities of land use all for the general purpose of conserving public health, safety, morals, conveniences and general welfare. It is the intent of the City Council in adopting this title to retain and to use all power delegated to the city by the state.

(Ord. 2982, passed - -2001; Ord. 3229, passed - -2016)

   (A)   In order to accomplish the purpose of this chapter, 26 use classifications are established in each of which regulations are prescribed concerning the permissible uses, the height and bulk of buildings, the area of yards and other open spaces about buildings, and density of population. Such classifications are known as follows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

   (B)   For the purpose of this chapter, MORE RESTRICTIVE USES means the following:

      (1)   The uses first permitted in the R-1 and R-1P Zones are the most restrictive; and

      (2)   All other uses are less restrictive in the order they are first permitted in the zones in the following sequence: PRD; R-2P; R-2; R-G; R-3R; R-3P; R-3; R-4; R-5; O-P; C-G; C-3; C-M; M-P; and M-G.

   (C)   Except as provided in this title, no building shall be erected, reconstructed or structurally altered, nor shall any building or land be used for any purpose except as hereinafter specifically provided and allowed in the same zone in which such building, land or use is located or proposed to be located.

(Ord. 2982, passed - -2001; Ord. 3222, passed - -2015; Ord. 3229, passed - -2016; Ord. 3232, passed - -2016; Ord. 3335, passed - -2025)

   The location and boundaries of the various zones are such as are shown and delineated on the “zoning map” of the city as adopted originally by Ordinance No. 475 and subsequently amended and which map, by reference, is made a part of this chapter.

(Ord. 2982, passed - -2001)

   Where a number follows the zoning symbol on the zoning map, it shall represent the number of thousands of square feet of area required in lieu of the minimum areas established in each zone as herein defined. Pursuant to § 15.17.050, no new lot shall be created in any R-1 or R-1P Zone which is less in area than the minimum lot size indicated on the city’s official zoning map for the area in which it is located, except as provided in Title 16 of this code. If no number follows the zoning symbol, the areas prescribed in the chapter governing such zone shall apply. The minimum lot sizes as shown on the zoning map are further defined as follows.

 

(Ord. 2982, passed - -2001; Ord. 3232, passed - -2016)

   Proposals to create new dwelling units as part of a mixed-use development shall be subject to the following review procedures.

   (A)   No discretionary approval will be required if the development involves only the conversion of existing building area, and the number of units is less than seven.

   (B)   Approval of a minor site plan or minor development project will be required if the proposal involves new building area on the property and the number of units is less than seven, or if the project is within the HIOZ.

   (C)   Approval of a major site plan or major development project will be required if the proposal involves the creation by new construction or conversion of existing building area of seven or more dwelling units on the property.

   (D)   Courtesy notification is required. Staff shall mail written notification to property owners, tenants and businesses within a 300-foot radius of the subject property at the time of project application submittal to the city. Courtesy notification shall be required for any HIOZ project, regardless of number of residential units.

(Ord. 2982, passed - -2001; Ord. 3337, passed - -2025)

   (A)   The City Council recognizes the fact that a city’s social and economic life is seldom limited to the area within its corporate limits; that real need exists to consider zoning and physical planning on the basis of the existing and developing area rather than only the areas currently within the city limits; that state law, through the medium of the state planning law, recognizes the existence of the relationship between a city and the areas adjacent thereto and has incorporated in such state planning law a mandate that cities shall preplan areas contiguous thereto if, in the opinion of the city, such areas bear a relationship to its planning.

   (B)   In recognition of such policy and purpose and the possibility of annexation of adjoining lands, the city undertakes to establish an expansion of a consistent land use pattern that shall prevail if and when areas contained with such expanded plans annex to the city. For that purpose pre-zoning maps may be developed and adopted in the same manner prescribed by this title for the zoning or rezoning of property within the city.

   (C)   If a pre-zoning map for an area has been adopted, such annexing property contained therein shall, upon becoming a part of the city, possess the zone indicated on the detailed pre-zoning map, and such portions of the pre-zoning map governing properties so annexed shall become a part of the city’s zoning map and thereafter be subject to all of the provisions of this title.

(Ord. 2982, passed - -2001)